The supporters of America's venture into Iraq have what appears to be a gambling problem, and they're not going to stop until they've lost the house. As a member of the anti-war community, I was right (even in hindsight) to protest the war before Bush committed our troops to this horrible decision. Now the stakes are such that we need an intervention in our government, and we need it now.
I use the gambling analogy for a reason. People who have gambling problems exhibit the
following traits:
Preoccupation with gambling (reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next venture or thinking of ways in which to gamble)
Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement
Trying to control, cut down or stop gambling unsuccessfully
Feeling restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
Using gambling as a way to escape problems or bad moods (helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)
Returning to gamble after losing money gambling
Lying to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling
Committing illegal acts, such as forgery, fraud, theft or embezzlement to finance gambling.
Jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
Relying on others to get out of debt
When a gambler is losing money at the table, and increasingly tries to justify staying (I can't afford to stop now, I've already lost too much money), or keeps dipping into those savings accounts and credit card debts to finance the losing venture, the he/she often finds it really hard to quit. We have lost enough in Iraq. Enough of our soldiers, enough of their civilian population, enough money, enough credibility and enough moral authority. It is time to step away from the table, and it is time for the war supporters on all sides to admit that they have a problem with the reality they face. If they can't get over their problem, we in the anti-war community must somehow intervene. It is time.